Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

We now move to the next name of God listed on our chart next to “Elohim.”

You might recall how each of these names are derivatives of God’s name known as “El.” “El,” as we already know, speaks to God’s power or might.

Thus, we have learned of “El Shaddai” and “El Elyon.”

His name “El Shaddai” reminds us that God is Mighty or Powerful in Pouring Out His Blessings and His Judgments.

His name “El Elyon” reminds us that God is the HIGHEST of all Beings and, through His Son, is HIGH PRIEST of all who Believe.

Now, we move to the next name under “Elohim” which is “El Olam.”

However, before we dive into this study, I must undertake a fundamental teaching concerning the interpretation of Scripture.

In particular, I must demonstrate for you using Scripture how God has revealed and dealt with men down through the ages.

This is known as “The Dispensations of God.”

DISPENSATIONS OF GOD

Throughout human history, God has dealt with men through what is called or known as “dispensations.”

In a nutshell, God a differing times has given men and women certain responsibilities or duties.

Understanding these dispensations helps gain insight about God’s will for me and for us who are saved.

For our consideration of God’s names, it also provides us pertinent information about His name “El Olam.”

DISPENSATION DEFINED

The word “dispensation” is taken from a New Testament Greek word that means “a house rule.”

It is used in Scripture to mean the “management” of a household.

Let me give you an example.

Note that the word “stewardship” is, in the Greek, the word for “dispensation.”

Thus, we understand that this servant was given management of this rich man’s household.

He was to manage all of the rich man’s affairs.

Unfortunately, he was poor manager and the point of this story.

However, for our discussion, I just wanted to point out how “dispensation” simply means a stewardship or management.

In several other New Testament passages, we have some different uses that give us further insight to the word “dispensation.”

Each of these verses use the same Greek word for “dispensation” or “stewardship.” 1 Corinthians 9:7 translates it as “dispensation.”

Ephesians 3:9 translates is as “fellowship.” 1 Timothy 1:5 uses the word “edifying.”

Using these terms as a guide, we find that a dispensation as it relates to God are those duties that He assigns to mankind or to certain people for a period of time, for which they are accountable to Him. (Barackman)

The emphasis is not on the periods of time even though they are important, but rather on the duties God imposes upon its recipients.

For that reason, priority is always given to those duties, and especially in this period of time, our responsibility to obey those duties.

Each dispensation, except for the first, gives us clear insight to God’s will for His people at the time they are given and how He holds them accountable.

A DISPENSATIONALIST then is one who recognizes the Biblical divine dispensations and the people to whom they are given.

DISPENSATIONALISM is the interpretation and application of Scripture that recognizes the various dispensations and their features, the people to whom each dispensation is given, and the portion of the Bible that relates to the dispensation and its recipients.

Let me explain further by giving you the different dispensations seen in Scripture.

DISPENSATIONS DEMONSTRATED

There are seven notable dispensations in Scripture.

They are as follows.

The Dispensation of Created Mankind (Genesis 1:28-29; 2:15-17)

Recipients

Adam and Eve

Duties

To be fruitful and fill the earth (Genesis 1:28)

To subdue the earth and have dominion over all lower forms of life (Genesis 1:28)

To eat of the garden (namely vegetables, grain, and fruit) (Genesis 1:29)

To dress the garden and keep it (Genesis 2:15)

NOT to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree (Genesis 2:18)

Duration

From the creation of Adam and Eve until their fall and subsequent Divine judgment

The Dispensation of Fallen Mankind (Genesis 3:16-4:7)

Recipients

Adam, Eve, and their posterity.

Duties

To work for a living using the Divinely cursed ground (Genesis 3:17-19)

To approach God by means of an animal sacrifice (Genesis 4:1-5)

To do well (Genesis 4:6-7)

Duration

From Adam and Eve’s fall to the end of the Noah’s Flood (Genesis 3:16-8:22) which is approximately 1,657 years.

The Dispensation of Governed Mankind (Genesis 9:1-7)

Recipients

Noah, his three sons, their wives, and their posterity (Genesis 9:1, 18)

Duties

To reproduce and fill the earth (Genesis 9:1)

To have dominion over all lower life forms (Genesis 9:2)

To eat animal flesh in addition to a vegetarian diet (Genesis 9:3-4)

To exercise capital punishment (Genesis 9:5-6)

Duration

Most of this is universal in its extent and had not been annulled.

Thus this dispensation is still continues especially for those people who do not have the New Testament which presents us with the Dispensation of Grace.

You must remember that “faith coming by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

Therefore, those who have yet to hear the gospel are essentially still living under this dispensation.

For them to be saved, those who live under this dispensation must hear and believe the gospel of the Lord Jesus.

Yet, at the same time, God does provide them with an opportunity to respond favorably to His general revelation through nature (Acts 10; Romans 1:19-20).

This third dispensation will continue for those who do not hear the gospel or have the New Testament until the Lord Jesus returns to earth, overthrows the present world, and establishes His millennial earthly kingdom, with its own dispensation (Isaiah 2:1-3; see also Acts 15:20; Romans 13:1-7).

The Dispensation of the Patriarchs (Genesis 12:1; 17:1; 26:5; 31:3, 13; 35:1; 46:1-4)

Recipients

Throughout the period of His dealing with the patriarchs, God gave direction to Abraham (Genesis 12:1), Isaac (Genesis 26:1-3), and Jacob (Genesis 31:11-13).

Also, Jacob’s posterity was to keep in touch with the Lord and obey Him, since He promised to be with them and make of them a great nation (Genesis 46:3-4).

They were God’s people (Exodus 3:7, 10).

Duties

To leave Ur and got to a land to which God would lead them (Genesis 12:1; 15:7; Nehemiah 9:7; Acts 7:2-3)

To walk before God and be perfect (Genesis 17:1)

To obey the Lord’s commands (Genesis 18:19; 26:5)

Duration

This dispensation extended from the call of Abram to leave Ur (Genesis 12:1) until Israel’s reception of the Mosaic Law at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:8).

The Dispensation of the Mosiac Law (Exodus 20:1-7; 21:1-23:19; Leviticus 1-27; Numbers 5-6; 9-10; 15; 18-19; 27-30)

Recipients

This was only to the nation of Israel (Exodus 19:3; Nehemiah 9:13-14; Psalm 147:19-20)

Duties

The law given at Mt. Sinai, consisting of moral laws (Exodus 20:1-7), civil laws (Exodus 21:1-23:13), and religious laws (Exodus 23:14-19; Leviticus 1-27).

There were additional regulations as noted in Numbers 5-6, 9-10, 15, 18-19, and Numbers 27-30.

Duration

While the Mosaic Law as a covenant ceased with Jesus’ death (Hebrews 10:9, 16; 12:24), the law has continued as a dispensation from its reception at Mt. Sinai until now for those who assume its obligations.

1 Corinthians 9:20 and Galatians 4:4-5 along with Galatians 5:3 teaches that the Jews are still under the Law.

However, the commands of the Mosaic Law, except the moral requirements, are no longer binding on those Jews who have been born again and have become recipients of the Dispensation of Grace.

To be a saved person and to assume the duties of the Mosaic Law is to fall from grace, with its liberty and requirements, and to place oneself under the principle of law-works (Galatians 5:3-4).

One cannot be saved by grace and live a life pleasing to God by the works of self-effort.

The grace of God that saved us is also available through faith to enable us to live godly lives (John 15:5; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 12:7-10; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 4:13).

The Dispensation of Grace (John 1:17; Matthew 28:19-20; Titus 2:11-13)

Recipients

These are unsaved people of accountable age and all saved people (Titus 2:11-12).